Once, there was a bricklayer which had been working for a successful developer for many years. When it comes for the developer to retired, he wanted to spend his old age peacefully. So he asked his bricklayer to build a beautiful house with a sophisticated architectural design and using high quality materials. He also asked his bricklayer to build his house in a strategic place and he would pay all of the costs that the bricklayer asked him to give. Because he didn’t quite dare scold his master, the bricklayer went to do what his master asked him to do, but of course with a little displease. Wasn’t he had been successful and rich? The bricklayer also wondering: Why he pushed himself to do a big thing like build a big and beautiful house for his master when he wanted to retired? Didn’t his master know that his bricklayer already had a difficult life?
The bricklayer thought about an evil idea. He made a big budget fund with beautiful architectural graphic for his mater’s house, but the house will be made with worthless materials. Moreover, the old developer will not investigate carefully because he trust in me, thought the bricklayer.
Then the time to make the house came, and finally the house that looked good and beautiful finished. After that, the bricklayer came to his master to deliver the key house for his master as a sign that the brick layer had been completed his job.
When greeting the bricklayer in his residence, the old developer said a lot thanks to the bricklayer. The old developer gave a big compliment to the bricklayer because he had fulfilled the developer desire in his old age which is to pass his old age with a sweet memory. The brick layer gave a little smile for his master appraisal. But in his heart, he laughs, “I got you. You old and stupid man.hmm….he has no idea about what I’ve done with his new house…”
Without spoke too much, the bricklayer asked for permission. In his mind he had made a plan that after leaving his master house he would celebrate his victory with his friends. He felt very happy, because his master praise him very high and didn’t notice his badness. Moreover, he felt lucky because he could keep a lot of money by deceiving his master.
After take ten steps went away from the house, suddenly he was surprised by his master voice which asked him to come back. Smile and flowery laugh in his heart suddenly disappear and he became incensed. “Gosh, maybe he knows. Ouch, I’m so death!” he thought. His heart started to beat very fast and a cold sweat came out from his pores.
“Y..e..ye..yes..master.” he was indecisively stepped toward to his master.
After facing his master, he can no longer hide his exasperation. He thought quickly, and decided to say the truth. But before he opened his mouth his master already speak out.
“Look. I’m sorry, because I forgot to tell you something. Maybe because I’m no longer young, now listen to me; I believe you know that I wish to spend my life sweetly with a beautiful house which you had built up. But I don’t want to stay in this house. I wish to end my life by giving the best for my right hand, which is you. So please take this key. This house is for you. Please accept it; don’t you have made it beautifully?”
The bricklayer received the key with gloomy face. He felt confused which were mixed with sorrowful and sick over at him. He said thanks to his master and went away. After that, he wept hardly. He regrets himself. Why he didn’t built a beautiful house when his master asked him to do so. He felt stupid, dull and brainless. But the opportunity didn't come twice.
Translated from indonesia to english by: Agnes Shanti Satyarini
